CCSN debuts with doubleheader sweep

Zack Hall

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000 | 10:08 a.m.

When starting pitcher Ryan Myers toed the rubber and threw the first pitch Tuesday, the Community College of Southern Nevada baseball team officially was born.

What Myers and the rest of the Coyotes didn't know was what a successful birth it would be.

CCSN exploded out of the gates by sweeping a doubleheader from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College at Coyote Park, winning the first game 9-0 and the second 6-5.

"We were real geared up to win the first game," CCSN coach Tim Chambers said. "The kids were a little star-struck. I think everybody was like, 'We're finally here, what's it going to be like?' "

"To come out and get two from a team that has been around for so long like Scottsdale -- and they have been a pretty good ballclub for a long time -- it's pretty impressive."

The second game provided an early test for the Coyotes -- and provided the first hero of the season.

With the score deadlocked at five in the 11th inning, second baseman John DiBetta smoked a 1-2 pitch from reliever Gory Gernant over the left-field wall for a game-winning home run.

"I wasn't expecting an inside fastball on the 1-2 (pitch)," said DiBetta, who went 6-for-9 with five RBIs and three runs scored in the two games. "Right now, I am really excited. It is one of the happier moments of my life."

CCSN blew 4-1 and 5-3 leads in the game. But Coyotes reliever Shane Clatterbuck pitched the last three innings nearly flawlessly. Clatterbuck struck out six while giving up only two hits to pick up the win.

The Coyotes wasted little time making an impression on the Artichokes in the opening game.

In the bottom of the first, the Coyotes' first three hitters singled. Second baseman DiBetta knocked in center fielder John Slack for the first run in CCSN history. The Coyotes then scored three runs in both the second and third innings, and added two more in the fourth. Slack, Joe Wagner and DiBetta led the team with two RBIs each.

Myers was solid in his pitching debut. The right-hander went five innings, allowing three hits and six walks. Amad Stephens finished the seven-inning game by pitching two no-hit innings.

"We just tried to play hard and tried to go out there and do what we've practiced all fall," said Stephens.